Riverkeeper applauds Governor Hochul and the New York State Legislature for their dedication to our environment and clean water, as demonstrated by the passage of the 2025 state budget which includes significant wins for New York and the Hudson River. The budget not only allocates substantial funding for environmental initiatives but also supports policy victories crucial for the protection of New York's natural resources. However, we are disappointed that NY HEAT was not included in the final budget and urge all parties to pass this significant climate legislation by the end of the session.

Key highlights of the budget include:

Tracy Brown, President of Riverkeeper, remarked, "New York State's budget reaffirms our commitment to restoring the Hudson River and addressing our deteriorating water infrastructure. Continued funding for the Environmental Protection Fund and the Clean Water Infrastructure Act will furnish vital resources to meet the clean water needs of communities statewide. We are particularly pleased to see the restoration of funding levels for the Hudson River Estuary Program and investments in programs like the SWIM initiative, which can increase access to clean and healthy water in the Hudson River and beyond. We are grateful to our elected officials and partners who work closely with us to champion these ongoing investments in clean water and New York's environment."

Jeremy Cherson, Senior Manager of Government Affairs for Riverkeeper, echoed the sentiment, stating, "Riverkeeper celebrates the policy and funding triumphs in the New York State budget, including $500 million for the Clean Water Infrastructure Act and $400 million for the Environmental Protection Fund. These investments will bolster New York's climate resilience, habitat restoration efforts, and community engagement with waterfronts. We extend thanks to Governor Hochul, Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, Speaker Heastie, Assemblymember Glick, and Senator Harckham for their unwavering dedication to clean water and environmental stewardship. We eagerly anticipate collaborating with state leaders to advance additional climate, clean water, and environmental legislation in the coming weeks."

Riverkeeper protects and restores the Hudson River, and safeguards drinking water supplies through community partnerships, science, and law. Our core programs improve water quality, restore habitat for an abundance of life, and address the impact of climate change on our waterways. Founded in 1966 as the Hudson River Fishermen’s Association, Riverkeeper became the model for more than 320 Waterkeeper organizations around the world and helped establish globally-recognized standards for waterway and watershed protection. We continue to work toward the goal of a swimmable, fishable, and drinkable Hudson River for all. Learn more, get updates, and support our work by visiting https://www.riverkeeper.org.

Lewis Kendall, lkendall@riverkeeper.org, 914-478-4501 ext. 238